Governor’s spouses in FGM-practicing counties converge to champion ANTI-FGM crusade

Migori

Friday, August 18, 2023,

KNA by Geoffrey Makokha

Governors’ spouses across the seven counties that still practice FGM are currently meeting in Migori County to deliberate, benchmark and share ideas on how best to end the retrogressive vice.

They Governors’ spouses from Taita Taveta, Marsabit, Kajiado, Narok, Nyamira, Migori and West Pokot counties said that FGM vice has denied women their rights, messed up their health and disrupted their socio-economic agenda.

They spoke during an FGM awareness campaign education held at Nyabohanse Girls School in Mabera Sub County-Kuria West that saw more than 200 Kuria girls educated as Anti-FGM ambassadors.

Marsabit Governor Mohamud Ali's spouse and Chair of the Governor’s First Lady Association Alamitu Jattani said that the country and county governments practicing FGM are already winning the war through the developed FGM policies and laws.

Jattani noted that they will continue to share ideas and do benchmarking from communities that have successfully eradicated the vice.

She said that a collaboration amongst all FGM parties especially the elders and political leaders and women empowerment were the key to eliminating FGM.

Jattani however, emphasized that the biggest hindrance in stopping FGM was the culture and religion that the perpetrators use to justify their heinous acts.

“We do not have a reason why we cannot end FGM with all the established laws, policies, and the establishment of the FGM Board that has played the biggest role in ensuring the vice is eradicated,” said Jattani.

Migori Governor’s spouse Agnes Ochilo pointed out that women across Kenya were being empowered economically and those that were still hanging on the retrogressive culture had no place in the modern society.

She disclosed that all parties in Kuria have signed an agreement to end FGM and focus on transformative socioeconomic agenda and the promotion of positive Kuria traditions and culture.

“We have already spent a substantial amount of resources in terms of time and money in the fight against FGM. It is now time to pull resources together and utilize them well for a good course of helping and empowering the Kuria girls and community at large, “affirmed Agnes.

She encouraged the 200 Kuria girls educated as Anti-FGM ambassadors to be the voice of their peers and community in advocating for an end to FGM as well as education for the Kuria girl.

Meanwhile, The National Diseases Control Council (NACC) Official Cyprian Wasike acknowledged that FGM has been one of the predicaments that has propelled health complications among pregnant women.

Wasike said that FGM has also contributed to HIV prevalence among adolescents with Migori County among the top counties with a high HIV prevalence rate between the ages of 15-24 years.

He explained that when a girl undergoes FGM she is expected to be married exposing her to risks of HIV and Gender-based violence. 

Wasike urged the elders and political leaders in FGM-practicing communities to be the voice of the voiceless girls in championing the Anti-FGM course.

The event was also attended by councils of elders from Marsabit and Nyamira countries. Meanwhile, the Governor’s spouses from the seven counties will be heading to Narok after visiting Marsabit and Migori Counties for the same objective.

Courtesy ; K. N. A